#BOARD23 - Turning the spotlight on animal research at the university

On 15 June, the European Animal Research Association (EARA) is organising the third edition of the -Be Open About Animal Research Day- (#BOARD23). This global 24-hour campaign celebrates communicating about animal research. The University of Luxembourg participates in #BOARD23 through a series of articles highlighting the latest advances in animal care, recent research results and the people behind the science. In this interview, Jennifer Behm , designated veterinarian at the university, talks about her job, her passion for both the animals she cares for and the research projects she contributes to, and the importance of openly communicating about animal research. Could you say a few words about yourself? - My name is Jennifer and I work full time as the designated vet at the University of Luxembourg. I studied veterinary medicine in Berlin and previously worked in the private sector, in a vet clinic and at the Max Planck Institute, before moving to Luxembourg and joining the university in May 2020. I am part of a dedicated team of around 15 people, from caretakers to animal technicians and platform managers, who cares for the two species housed at the university: mice and zebrafish. These animal models are part of several research projects on human diseases such as cancer and neurodegenerative disorders. Our team makes sure that animal research at the university is conducted in the best possible way, in compliance with the strict European and national guidelines. How did you get started in this field?